Arsenal fullback Gael Clichy is facing two months on the sidelines.

The French left-back, 24, is suffering from a stress fracture of his lower back. He will be replaced by Kieran Gibbs for the visit of AZ Alkmaar tonight.

Boss Arsene Wenger said: "It is a big blow. Gael had a problem last season but on the other side of his vertebrae.

"It is a gradual thing. He could play pain-free but it got worse after games.

"We had a scan on Monday and saw he had a fracture. It will be between one month and two months."

It is a massive setback for the Gunners, coming just 24 hours after striker Nicklas Bendtner was ruled out for a month with a groin problem.